Description

This is a case for a PolargraphSD machine. Which is essentially a arduino mega, with a polarshield stuck on it, and a 2.2" LCD touchscreen and a pair of stepstick motor drivers stuck on that. The case consists of five parts.

Recent Comments

Hallo, thanks! You're welcome! In theory, yes, the polarshield can go on a non-mega board. The pins it uses all exist on a 328-sized arduino. In practice, I haven't tried it, and have always just used Adafruit motorshields for 328-based machines, with the basic polargraph firmware (http://code.google.com/p/polargraph/source/browse/#svn%2Fembedded%2Ftrunk%2Fpolargraph_server_a1)http://code.google.com/p/polar... - there's an instructable about how that sets up. A lot cheaper unless you already have stepsticks and things lying around. Yes you're right there's no SD card, or touchscreen, and the motor drivers are a little less capable, and it's always got to be tethered via usb, but if you are happy to have your computer running all the time, and don't mind things taking days rather than just (!) tens of hours, it'll do the same stuff. Just about the only thing the 328-based machine can't do is the direct from file stuff (norwegian pixel drawings).

It's merely a matter of time before I make one. Great project, I can't wait to repurpose a room in my house to wall drawings. Thanks for all the fantastic work!

Quick question, can I still use a 328 Arduino or do I need to use a Mega? If I can use the older 328 design and code then I think I already have all the parts I need save for the printed ones. I assume I'd lose the LCD screen and/or SD card because of the fewer pins but that would be ok with me. A
nyone have information regarding this?

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Instructions

Part 1 is the main piece, a tray that holds the electronics.
Parts 4 and 5 go on next and support the LCD screen.
Part 2 goes on next and covers the main exposed part of the circuit, and the stepper drivers.
Part 3 goes on last and frames the LCD.

There are two versions of parts 1 and 2, made for differently sized USB ports. The ones with <b>b</b> on the end are for a big USB-B socket like on a regular Arduino Mega. The ones with <b>m</b> on the end are for a smaller mini-USB socket boards that I more commonly use - Freaduino Megas mostly - they use the low-profile mini-usb connections. I think they are the best megas money can buy. (note I've just modified the filenames as of 18th August 2012, so if you downloaded a <b>b</b> before then, you will have got the <b>mini</b> version. Confusing, I know.)

I use five 15mm M3 bolts to secure it. I print this in ABS on my little huxley. It seems to take hours.

The LCD is a ITDB02-2.2, it has a built-in SD card slot. Although it seems profligate to have a touch-screen on this, it works out cheaper than making my own buttons+lights panel with SD slot. And now there's no going back, baby. I wish I had some dials though.

It's merely a matter of time before I make one. Great project, I can't wait to repurpose a room in my house to wall drawings. Thanks for all the fantastic work!

Quick question, can I still use a 328 Arduino or do I need to use a Mega? If I can use the older 328 design and code then I think I already have all the parts I need save for the printed ones. I assume I'd lose the LCD screen and/or SD card because of the fewer pins but that would be ok with me. A
nyone have information regarding this?

Hallo, thanks! You're welcome! In theory, yes, the polarshield can go on a non-mega board. The pins it uses all exist on a 328-sized arduino. In practice, I haven't tried it, and have always just used Adafruit motorshields for 328-based machines, with the basic polargraph firmware (http://code.google.com/p/polargraph/source/browse/#svn%2Fembedded%2Ftrunk%2Fpolargraph_server_a1)http://code.google.com/p/polar... - there's an instructable about how that sets up. A lot cheaper unless you already have stepsticks and things lying around. Yes you're right there's no SD card, or touchscreen, and the motor drivers are a little less capable, and it's always got to be tethered via usb, but if you are happy to have your computer running all the time, and don't mind things taking days rather than just (!) tens of hours, it'll do the same stuff. Just about the only thing the 328-based machine can't do is the direct from file stuff (norwegian pixel drawings).